The Role of Relationships, Respect, and Self-determination in Creating Equitable Research Partnerships: The Case of Revitalise Te Taiao

Authors

  • Roxanne Henwood Social scientist, Ethical Agriculture Science Group, AgResearch - New Zealand. Corresponding Author: Roxanne.Henwood@agresearch.co.nz
  • Oriwa Tamahou Kairangahau Māori, Māori Research and Partnerships, AgResearch - New Zealand
  • Heather Collins Social scientist, Heather Collins Consulting - Australia
  • James A. Turner Senior social scientist, AgResearch - New Zealand
  • Simon Stokes Environmental scientist, Simon Stokes Consulting - Australia

Keywords:

whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, tikanga, Māori

Abstract

Forming equitable research partnerships is a well-known challenge, particularly when some partners are indigenous and others have a colonizing heritage of exercising power over others. Our work looked at how a project approach led by shared values of relationships, respect, and self-determination can increase equity in research partnerships, creating a situation where power is ‘with’ all partners involved.

The context of this study is the two-year Revitalise te Taiao program, focused on improving te Taiao (the natural environment and its interconnections with living beings) in Aotearoa- New Zealand. This paper focuses on how a wānanga (conference/educational seminar guided by indigenous principles) within the program expressed relationships, respect, and self- determination and enabled equity.

Through the emphasis on relationships, respect, and self-determination, the Wānanga foregrounded indigenous voices and perspectives and made space for all participants to contribute, share, and be heard. This enabled vulnerable and authentic discussions about the process and impact of colonization in Aotearoa-New Zealand, and how we respond to this today.

While contention strategies, such as protests and media engagement, are established methods to minimize power differences between low and high-power groups, we propose that this can also happen through higher-power stakeholders, like research organizations, prioritizing values of relationships, respect, and self-determination in partnerships. Following these values can provide a way to limit power ‘over’ partners and ensure power is ‘with’ all partners involved.

This study also indicates potential practical steps that research partners can take when forming and working in research partnerships. These include early consideration of relationships, respect, and self-determination and what they mean to all involved when planning partnership events.

Author Biographies

Roxanne Henwood, Social scientist, Ethical Agriculture Science Group, AgResearch - New Zealand. Corresponding Author: Roxanne.Henwood@agresearch.co.nz

Roxanne is a social scientist with a background in horticulture and interests in language, culture, and helping people make connections. Having crossed disciplines herself, her work now focuses on understanding what helps and hinders interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams, and providing guidance and resources for those working in these spaces.

Corresponding Author: Roxanne.Henwood@agresearch.co.nz

Oriwa Tamahou, Kairangahau Māori, Māori Research and Partnerships, AgResearch - New Zealand

Oriwa is a Kairangahau Māori (Māori researcher) with a focus in the social sciences, passionate about the advancement of Māori in a system that was designed against them. This involves helping both Māori and non-Māori people understand Māori worldviews and knowledge, while consistently challenging the research system here in Aotearoa.

Heather Collins, Social scientist, Heather Collins Consulting - Australia

Heather, a rural social scientist and community engagement facilitator, brings a diverse farming and grape-growing background. Working across the rural sector, Heather is passionate about connecting individuals and groups to facilitate understanding and positive change in the agri-environment space. 

James A. Turner, Senior social scientist, AgResearch - New Zealand

James is a social scientist with a background in forestry and agriculture and interests in the power of shifting thinking from humanity as separate from nature to humanity participating as nature. James is passionate about community-led innovation to tackle the complex and interconnected challenges facing rural communities. Working in an agricultural research organisation, his research focuses on innovation processes and systems to enable community-led innovation.

Simon Stokes, Environmental scientist, Simon Stokes Consulting - Australia

Simon is an environmental scientist who works as a rural professional across Aotearoa. He brings a diverse range of knowledge and skills to the rural sector work that he has been and is involved with, working across the local government and rural sector. He specialises at two levels. One level focuses on strategic environmental thinking and the requirements for operationalising large-scale projects and programmes. The second level is on the ground: farm planning, soils, biodiversity projects, catchment-scale management and programmes, soil conservation, and working with the community and iwi/hapū. Simon is passionate about making a valuable contribution to organisations, iwi, and communities and this is reflected in all his actions and behaviours.

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Published

2023-12-19

How to Cite

Henwood, R., Tamahou, O., Collins, H., Turner, J. A., & Stokes, S. (2023). The Role of Relationships, Respect, and Self-determination in Creating Equitable Research Partnerships: The Case of Revitalise Te Taiao. Social Innovations Journal, 22. Retrieved from https://socialinnovationsjournal.com/index.php/sij/article/view/6978

Issue

Vol. 22 (2023): Transformative Partnerships: Proceedings of Transformations Conference '23

Section

Transdisciplinary Collaborative Design

Categories

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Copyright (c) 2023 Roxanne Henwood, Oriwa Tamahou, Heather Collins, James A. Turner, Simon Stokes (Author)

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